… unveils LAA Fundraising Golf Programme 

By Sam Otuonye 

The League of African Ambassadors, a continental professional body comprising both serving and retired African Ambassadors, has unveiled a golf tournament programme to strengthen African unity, diplomacy, economic cooperation and sustainable development.

The League brings together the experience of those currently engaged in diplomacy and the institutional knowledge and wisdom of those who have completed their formal diplomatic assignments.

Launched on 14 October 2025 under the auspices of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), the League seeks to complement, rather than compete with, the work of national governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Communities and other established institutions.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the President of the League, Ambassador Nwanne Ominyi, described the LAA as a unique continental platform that brings together the contemporary perspectives of serving Ambassadors and the accumulated experience and diplomatic expertise of retired Ambassadors. 

He stressed that the fundamental objective of the League is to harness the collective experience, expertise, networks and institutional memory of African Ambassadors in support of African unity, peace, economic cooperation, sustainable development and a stronger African voice in international affairs.

Ominyi noted that the League was developing a number of initiatives designed to translate its mission into practical programmes: They include diplomatic dialogue and knowledge-sharing platforms, mentorship and intergenerational engagement, youth empowerment, promotion of Africa–Africa relations, and partnerships with governments, the private sector, development institutions and civil society.

On the fundraising project, he said: “An important initiative is our LAA Fundraising Golf Programme, which will combine sport, diplomacy, friendship, networking and fundraising in support of the League’s programmes.

“The programme will commence in Nigeria with the LAA Fundraising Golf Tournament at Ibom Golf & Country Club, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from 29–30 August 2026.

“Beyond Nigeria, the League plans to organise similar fundraising golf tournaments in 11 African countries — Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Morocco and Egypt.

These tournaments are not simply sporting events. They are intended to create platforms for diplomatic engagement, African networking, partnership building and resource mobilisation for initiatives consistent with the League’s continental mission.”

The Fundraising Golf Committee is chaired by Ambassador Ben Okoyen, with Ambassador Folakemi Akinleye as Secretary and Ambassador John Usanga responsible for Publicity. Other distinguished members include Ambassador Ali Magashi (Chairman of the Continental Golf Committee), Ambassador Ijeoma Obiezu, Ambassador Hajara Salim, Ambassador (AVM) Mohammed Sani Usman (Rtd), Ambassador Omar Suleiman, and Ambassador Hussein Coomasie.